Moel y Ci Fell Race 20/2/10

A trip to North Wales for this "BS" 5 miles 950 feet fell race.A nice race with a mixture of terrain. Paths,trails,hills,snow,rock,mud,fields and Forest.routeI was recovering from a cold on this one,but,after missing the race the previous weekend, due to a dodgy knee, (which was/is still playing up) I was determined not to miss another.taking it easy(Gwenfor's picture)It started off ok and I was in my usual sort of position in the pack. After about 10mins though I think the cold caught up we me a bit. People started going past me and I didn't really care. I decided just to take it easy and get round. Towards the top, after a nice start with the weather, the snow began drifting in. I was getting a bit cold and I decided,as it was now mostly down hill,the best way to get warm was to pick up the pace. At the top I saw fell running photographer Alistair Tye who as well as taking photos was also marshaling and doing his bit for www.teamdolly.co.uk a group of volunteers that provide radio cover and help at fell races in North Wales.picking up the pace a bitA nice descent saw me over take a couple of people.I finished 69th out of 99 entrants 57:16. If I do it again next year without a cold I think I could knock off 5mins.

John (not so lightning) Nightingale

40 something, From Birmingham, England. moved to Shropshire, with wife. Son and daughter moved in a couple of years later.
Lucky enough to Fly aeroplanes for a living.
Runs in the hills and mountains. Likes real ale more than he should do.

FRA Race Definitions

A fell race is one run on fell, hill or mountain terrain and shall be categorised as follows :Category “A”a. Should average not less than 250’ (76m) climb/mile (1.6k).b. Should not have more than 20% of the race distance on road.c. Should be at least one mile (1.6k) in length.Category “B”a. Should average not less than 125’ (38m) climb/mile (1.6k).b. Should not have more than 30% of the race distance on road.Category “C”a. Should average not less than 100’ (30.4m) climb/mile (1.6k).b. Should not have more than 40% of the race distance on road.c. Should contain some genuine fell terrain.a. A category “L” (long) race is twelve miles (19.3k) or over.b. A category “M” (medium) race is six miles (9.6k) and over but under twelve (19.3k).c. A category “S” (short) race is under six miles (9.6k).